Weekend Preview

Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy

For the second consecutive week, it’s the fillies who take centre stage in the main event of a busy weekend of racing in Korea. Thirteen fillies & mares will line up for the Nonghyup Chairman’s Trophy at Seoul Race Park on Sunday afternoon.

Dongbang Rose and Cho Kyoung Ho return as Nonghyup Cup Winners last year

The race will see last year’s winner Dongbang Rose facing off against last year’s Oaks winner Euro Fighter and runner-up Cheonun. They’ll be joined by former top-star Love Cat and regular money-winner Special Volpony and Munhwa Ilbo champion Legal Lady.

That only one three-year old, Mustang Queen, takes her chance, helps support the general consensus that 2011 has been a weak year. She’ll have it all to do against her older opponents but was a creditable second in the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup last month.

Down at Busan, a pair of class 1 feature races on Sunday afternoon are the highlight. Minister’s Cup winner Dongseo Jeongbeol makes a swift return frm his President’s Cup disappointment a fortnight ago to headline one of them, a 10 furlong test that also includes 2008 Korean Derby winner, the evergreen Ebony Storm.

Jockeys Nathan Stanley and Eiki Nishimura return from suspension at Busan this weekend with nine and eight rides respectively. Akane Yamaoto will also ride eight. Makoto Noda and Mai Beppu will both be in action at Seoul

Friday and Saturday are set to see this week’s mild spell continue, however, overnight on Saturday, temepratures are set to plummet and it could be a very chilly Sunday. Here’s what’s happening when and where: